THE Church of England's youngest bishop assumed his new role when he was consecrated in York Minster.

The Right Rev Mark Davies has been appointed to the landmark post at the age of just 45 and became the new Suffragan, or assistant, Bishop of Middleton in the Diocese of Manchester during a ceremony overseen by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.

Dr Sentamu also consecrated his own chaplain, the Right Rev Robert Paterson, who now becomes the new Bishop of Sodor and Man based on the Isle of Man. He succeeds the Right Rev Graeme Knowles.

A third clergyman, the Right Rev Chris Edmondson, was consecrated during the ceremony on Friday as the new Suffragan Bishop of Bolton, succeeding the Right Rev David Gillett.

No more flying back East for us! My wife and I are driving up the coast for our vacation this summer, taking mini vacations as we have in the past, and seeing more of California by car. We draw a 100 mile circle on a map with Los Banos at the center, and we work from there! Surprising how much there is to see and do in our own state…...and we love it! Monterey? LOADS of fun! Same for Yosemite and Kings Canyon NP!

The newly-consecrated Bishop of Middleton was, for many years from 1992 onwards, very active in the “Forward-in-Faith/UK” organization. About a year or so ago, he changed his mind about WO; and has now received his reward.

If someone made the change in the other direction, I doubt that the result would be the same.

In fairness we should congratulate the man on his post- but his change of heart does raise a big issue. Why does the church claim that it supports two integrities over womens ordination as was agreeed in Synod in 1992- yet in fact operate a system of apartheid - pushing those in vconscientious disagreement to the margins of the church? This is visible hypocrisy and as a Christian body simply not good enough. A look at the statistics of those becoming bishops since 1992 makes pretty embarrassing reading for those who claim the church has acted honourably or fairly. Indeed there may be grounds for discrimination charges.

And I worry that his ‘change of heart’ was manipulated by those dangling the office of bishop and preferment before his eyes. I may of course be wrong- but it is an all too familiar story.